Summary

This position provides specialized personal nursing care to residents whose care may be impacted by psychiatric - medical and geriatric conditions. This position will perform multi-step treatments and procedures requiring skills and extensive knowledge specific to resident conditions - medical treatment - and an understanding of the effects of the treatment.

Qualifications

Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met.

Basic Requirements:

• Citizenship: Citizen of the United States
• (Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with chapter 3 - section A - paragraph 3g - this part.) English Language Proficiency: Must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by VA Handbook 5005 - part II - chapter 3 - section A - paragraph 3j
• Education or Training: Six months of general experience
• Experience must demonstrate the ability to acquire the knowledge and skills to perform the work of a NA
• OR - One year of education above high school with courses related to the NA occupation
• OR - Completion of an intensive - specialized - occupation-related training course of study or program of less than one year as a NA may also meet in full the experience requirements for GS-3. Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements for employment - the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates
• GS-3 NA (Entry Level): Experience and Education
• None beyond the basic requirements
• GS-4 NA: Experience
• One year of specialized experience as a NA or experience in another medical field (licensed practical nurse - health technician - hospital corpsman - etc.) - performing technical and nursing skills requiring knowledge of the human physical and emotional states - therapeutic communication - and technical skills required for basic and intermediate treatments
• OR - Education
• Successful completion of 2 years above high school in an accredited institution with courses related to nursing care - health care or in a field of study appropriate to the specialization of the position - such as education in a program for psychology - psychiatric - or operating room technicians
• AND Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities (KSAs)
• n addition - the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Ability to provide a range of patient/resident care and contribute to the completion of the nurse care plan and recovery of patients/residents
• Ability to observe patients/residents' or resident's physical or emotional status and refer deviations and/or problems to supervisor in a timely manner
• Ability to properly use equipment - materials and supplies in simple diagnostic and treatment procedures such as bladder scan - continuous passive motion device - blood glucose monitoring machine - specimen collection - etc
• Ability to communicate effectively with patients/residents - their families and other health professionals
• GS-5 NA (Full Performance Level)
• Experience
• One year of progressively responsible assignments and experience equivalent to the GS-4 level which demonstrates knowledge - skills - and abilities that are directly related to the specific assignment
• In addition - the candidate must demonstrate the professional KSAs in subparagraph (c) below
• OR - Education
• Successful completion of a 4-year course of study above high school leading to a bachelor's degree that included 24 semester hours of courses related to health care or possession of a bachelor's degree
• AND Demonstrated KSAs: Ability to assist in the full range of nursing care to patients/residents with physical and/or behavioral problems in a hospital - long-term care or outpatient setting under the direction of a Registered Nurse and/or Licensed Vocational Nurse/Licensed Practical Nurse
• Ability to communicate orally with patients/residents - families - interdisciplinary team and other personnel
• This includes serving as a preceptor to new NAs by assisting with the coordination of their orientation and overseeing/assessing their practical experience while in a clinical setting
• Ability to recognize and react to emergent patient/resident care situations and intervene while waiting for assistance
• For example - recognizing need for basic life support - controlling bleeding and assisting with behavior crisis - etc
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-5. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-3 to GS-5. Physical Requirements: This position requires potentially long periods of continued walking - standing - and sitting

Duties

• Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional The work consists of providing a range of resident care and contributes to the completion of the treatment plan and recovery of residents
• This can include: personal care - diagnostic support procedures - treatments - charting and resident teaching
• The employee is required to recognize differences in a variety of situations and take appropriate action to meet the resident's needs
• Work involves assigned duties that require prioritization of tasks - selection of appropriate equipment - selection of the appropriate procedure for assigned treatments - and recognition of differences in resident's medical condition to facilitate appropriate and accurate documentation
• Major duties of the position include: Personal patient care including bathing - feeding - grooming and mobilizing with demonstration of skills which reflect the needs of the older adult
• Appropriate support duties i.e. - individualized patient care - proper implementation of policies and procedures - use of good body mechanics - and assist in application and operation of specialized functional equipment
• Support duties for proper environmental maintenance such as identification of potential safety hazards
• Providing care to patients as directed and serving as an integral member of the treatment team by motivating patients and redirecting their behavior toward treatment plan goals
• Participating in the admission of patients by collecting information - orienting patients to the unit - checking them for contraband when indicated - and assisting the Nurse in formulating appropriate nursing actions
• accurately and efficiently vital signs - obtaining specimens - and supporting the Physician with any other diagnostic tests
• Identifying and meeting the needs of patients for information and guidance in daily living
• Promoting patient participation in therapeutic communities by fostering increased self-reliance and independence through education and involvement of their treatment plan
• Reporting any changes in patient condition or behavior in a timely manner to the appropriate personnel on the ward
• Being able to concisely describe and report any subtle behavior changes and interactions among patients and nursing staff
• Performing patient care treatments such as foot soaks or changes of sterile dressings
• Encouraging patients to maintain self-care and monitoring their physical and emotional progress using the designated charting techniques
• maintaining a safe and secure environment oriented toward future independent living
• adhering to all Medical Center policies and procedures as directed
• All other duties assigned
• Work Schedule: 7:30am - 4:00pm
• rotating days - weekends and holidays Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases When setting pay - a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of higher or unique qualifications or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade)
• Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave - 13 days of sick leave - 11 paid Federal holidays per year) Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual - based on prior [work experience] or military service experience
• Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment - up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth - adoption - or foster care placement of a child
• Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment - full time employees with a total family income below $144 -000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66
• Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 01896F - 01898F - 01899F Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized